With 103 tigers, Sunderbans beats official estimates
Krishnendu Mukherjee, From The Times of India
TOI had earlier reported that the mangroves has a minimum 77 tigers, much more than the official estimates given by the Centre in 2011. However, the figure for the National Park West range comprising forests of Netidhopani and Choto Hardi could not be compiled by the foresters then.
“We received the National Park West figures – 22 tigers – from the Wildlife Institute of India recently, which take the minimum number of tigers in the mangroves to 101,” said chief wildlife warden NC Bahuguna, adding that taking into account the two tigers undergoing treatment at Sajnekhali and Alipore Zoo, the minimum estimate stands at 103.
“But these are only the individuals which could be captured in the camera trap exercise. So, there can be many more,” said Soumitra Das Gupta, field director of Sunderbans Tiger Reserve (STR).
The tiger density, according to the new finding, has also managed to beat the official estimates. “Going by this study, Sunderbans has a minimum 5 tigers per 100 square kilometres, compared to the figure 4.3 thrown up during the national census in 2011,” said additional PCCF (wildlife) Pradeep Vyas. According to him, the territory of 20 square kilometres for each tiger can also be compared with that of other mainland tigers in Kanha or Corbett.
Meanwhile, foresters are happy with the number of tigers in tourism zone Sajnekhali – 19.
They are also planning to utilize small pockets in the core area for tourism. “We will again start tourism on a 10 square kilometres area at Netidhopani. The tourism activities in the area had to be stopped last year following a Supreme Court directive,” said Das Gupta. However, head of forest force S B Mondal said that tourism will have to be restricted since the apex court has directed utilization of up to 15% area inside core forests for tourism.
While the camera-trap exercise for South 24-Parganas forest division, Sajnekhali, National Park East and Basirhat was conducted by WWF-India, officials of Wildlife Institute of India ( WII) conducted the study in National Park West.
Eminent conservationist Valmik Thapar said: “Considering the habitat of Sunderbans, the population of big cats there should be in the range of 75 and 100. So, a maximum limit is necessary so that we can compare the minimum and maximum ranges for a reliable figure.
For more on this story go to:
